BILL NUMBER: SB 1354	CHAPTERED  09/30/00

	CHAPTER   1024
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
	PASSED THE SENATE   AUGUST 31, 2000
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 29, 2000
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 28, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 26, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   MARCH 23, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Poochigian
   (Coauthors:  Senators Alpert, Karnette, and McPherson)
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Alquist, Lempert, and Mazzoni)

                        JANUARY 13, 2000

   An act to add Section 51224.5 to the Education Code, relating to
algebra.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1354, Poochigian.  Algebra instruction.
   Under existing law, the adopted course of study for grades 7 to
12, inclusive, is required to offer courses in specified areas of
study, including mathematics.  Existing law also specifies that
graduation from high school requires, among other things, completion
of 2 courses in mathematics.
   This bill would specify that the adopted course of study for
grades 7 to 12, inclusive, include, as part of mathematics
instruction, algebra.  The bill would also specify that commencing
with the 2003-04 school year, for high school graduation, at least
one or a combination of the 2 required mathematics courses meet or
exceed the rigor of content standards for Algebra I that are adopted
by the State Board of Education.  The requirements on school
districts to ensure that the additional course of study requirements
are carried out would impose a state-mandated local program.  The
bill would express legislative intent that any modification to
coursework required by the bill shall result in neither additional
classes nor additional costs.
  The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state.  Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement, including the creation of a State Mandates Claims Fund
to pay the costs of mandates that do not exceed $1,000,000 statewide
and other procedures for claims whose statewide costs exceed
$1,000,000.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Too many of California's high school graduates are graduating
without the necessary mathematical foundation to succeed in the
workforce and in postsecondary education.
   (b) Research and findings demonstrate the importance of algebra as
a building block for advanced mathematics, a predictor of success in
college, and as a key ingredient for everyday problem solving.
   (c) Based upon the direction of the Governor in November of 1999,
the State Board of Education, the Secretary for Education, and the
Superintendent of Public Instruction, the content standards of
Algebra I as adopted by the State Board of Education will be included
in the 2003-04 high school exit examination.
   (d) If pupils are expected to be successful on the high school
exit examination, they must be given a reasonable opportunity to
learn the subjects upon which they will be tested, especially because
a pupil's graduation from high school is contingent upon passing the
examination.  This standard has been affirmed in federal case law as
a threshold requirement for a high stakes examination like the high
school exit examination.  In the case of Debra P. v.  Turlington
(M.D.Fla. 1984) 546 F.Supp. 177, 186, aff'd, (11th Cir. 1984) 730
F.2d 1405, the district court stated that a competency exam was
instructionally valid because "students are afforded an adequate
opportunity to learn the skill tested...."
   (e) By requiring that a course in Algebra I that meets or exceeds
the state content standards be included in the adopted course of
study and taken by every high school pupil as a requirement of
graduation, the state can ensure that high school pupils are given
the opportunity to learn as required by law.
   (f) An understanding of algebra will provide the mathematical
foundation necessary to pass the high school exit examination and
succeed in both the workforce and in postsecondary education.
  SEC. 2.  Section 51224.5 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   51224.5.  (a) The adopted course of study for grades 7 to 12,
inclusive, shall include algebra as part of the mathematics area of
study pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 51220.
   (b) Commencing with the 2003-04 school year and each year
thereafter, at least one course, or a combination of the two courses
in mathematics required to be completed pursuant to subparagraph (B)
of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3 by pupils
while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, prior to receiving a diploma of
graduation from high school, shall meet or exceed the rigor of the
content standards for Algebra I, as adopted by the State Board of
Education pursuant to Section 60605.
   (c) If at any time, in any of grades 7 to 12, inclusive, or in any
combination of those grades, a pupil completes coursework that meets
or exceeds the academic content standards for Algebra I pursuant to
subdivision (b) in less than two courses, subparagraph (B) of
paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3 shall be deemed
to have been satisfied and the pupil shall not be required to take
additional coursework in mathematics.
  SEC. 3.  It is the intent of the Legislature that any modification
to coursework required by this act shall result in neither additional
classes nor in additional costs, but that any modification to
coursework shall be incorporated into the requirements of paragraph
(2) of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3 of the Education Code.
  SEC. 4.  Notwithstanding Section 17610 of the Government Code, if
the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains
costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and
school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7
(commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the
Government Code.  If the statewide cost of the claim for
reimbursement does not exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000),
reimbursement shall be made from the State Mandates Claims Fund.
